Ed Sheeran continues to deal with the backlash surrounding Macklemore’s removal from the singer’s US tour.
An Irish radio station announced Thursday that, in response to the controversy and feedback from listeners, it would no longer play music released by the 35-year-old “Shape of You” singer for the “foreseeable future.”
Dave Kelly, group program director at Bay Broadcasting, which runs Classic Hits Radio, told The Independent the decision “has been carefully considered” and “is not intended as a personal judgment on Ed Sheeran.”
“We acknowledge his own explanation of the circumstances surrounding recent events,” Kelly said. “As an independent Irish-owned radio station, however, we believe it is important to listen to our audience and to stand alongside Irish artists who have made what is undoubtedly a significant professional decision based on their own convictions.”
He added his company “believe(s) in peace, humanity and respect” as well as “the right of people and artists to express and act upon their sincerely held views.”
“In light of the strength of feeling expressed by our listeners and the decisions taken by Irish artists involved in the tour, we believe removing Ed Sheeran’s music from our playlist is the appropriate decision for Classic Hits Radio at this time,” he concluded.
The controversy began after Macklemore repeatedly called for a “Free Palestine” and performed his anti-Israel song, “Hind’s Hall,” during his opening performance at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sept. 4 and 5.
He was then dropped as an opening act on Sheeran’s Loop Tour.
The “Thrift Shop” singer alleged that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft pressured Sheeran into dropping him from the tour, telling the singer he would not be allowed to perform at Gillette Stadium and by encouraging other stadium owners to issue a similar ultimatum.
Following Macklemore’s removal from the tour, four other supporting acts chose to drop out, including Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, Lukas Graham and Finneas.
In addition to the radio station’s decision to temporarily remove his music from its catalog, the pro-Palestine groups Philly Palestine Coalition and Shut Down D&Z have planned a protest outside of Sheeran’s Philadelphia concert.
They shared a flyer on Instagram urging people to attend the protest on Sept. 19 outside Lincoln Financial Field.
The flyer reads, “Gaza is our compass” and “Billionaires, Zionists & Warmongers out of Philly.”
“Palestine returns to headlines across the world and we return to the streets to fight for Gaza. Free Palestine is not a tagline for celebrities or a slogan for online statements,” they wrote in the caption.
“A free Palestine is the work of generations of Palestinian resistance, a free Palestine is the compass for all oppressed people, a free Palestine demands nothing less than total liberation. Free Palestine is a call to direct action. On Saturday, we take to the streets to return the conversation to Palestine, and return Philadelphia to action.”
They continued, writing that Sheeran removed Macklemore from his tour “in the name of ‘neutrality’ and being ‘apolitical’ and due to threats from stadium owners, including Lincoln Financial Field.”
“There is no neutrality against oppression, only complicity. When the news cycle has moved on, we will still be here. Join us. FREE PALESTINE, FREE LEBANON, FREE CUBA, FREE CONGO, FREE SUDAN.”
Sheeran addressed the controversy on Instagram, writing, “I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them, and it doesn’t mean I don’t care.
“After Macklemore’s performances at my New Jersey shows, venues on my upcoming tour dates communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting,” Sheeran wrote. “I was informed that this stance was based on how Macklemore conveyed part of his message during his performance, rather than on everything that was said.
“I spoke with the venues at length all week to try and build a bridge. One of those people was Robert Kraft. I was also involved in direct talks with promoters along with activists on both sides to try and find a mutual resolution for all, but the venue’s and promoter’s decision was final.”
He added that the decision to remove Macklemore from the tour was the promoter’s and that “Macklemore’s contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me.”
“There is a reason I do not use my professional platform for politics – my audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds,” he added. “Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum. I respect Macklemore’s strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes. However, there is room for multiple approaches to the same end: peace.
“I choose to use my fame and platform to be a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed. If we only focus on shouting the loudest, nothing will ever change. There are different approaches to being an advocate for change.”
Fox News Digital reached out to representatives for Ed Sheeran but did not immediately hear back.
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